Writing vs Mothering

Keira: Mum, is this your new book? {She points to the open manuscript as I type its revisions into the computer.} Me: It is. Keira: Is it also going to be in a bookshop one day? Me: I sincerely hope so. {Pause} Me: Yes? What else? Keira: Can you wipe off my boogers, please?

Black Saturday reminders are still in the garden

It’s now the season for my cherry to be in full blossom – well, it would be in full blossom if the top leaves weren’t still there, charred and angry-looking. I’ve been waiting for them to drop, but I won’t think they will. It’s like they’re soldered to the branch. Here’s an azalea that I…

What I’m reading June 2009

I read ‘The Spare Room’ in two hours last Friday night, a loan from the much loved Gen. I borrowed ‘Bel Canto’ because a friend of mine has been begging me to read it and ‘Stardust’ because I’m on a bit of a Neil Gaiman binge. The books behind are what we’ve got on our…